I've wondered about the use of over-polution to cause flooding and to pick up planet-pearls as an energy strategy. If you know the worms are comming you pick them off pretty easily and get a lot of money. Something seems to trigger massive ecological damage at a certain point in the game.
Well, almost enough said... WRT sea formers/shelf enhancements vs hybrid forests, consider that you spent 360 minerals or thereabouts just to build your tree farm/HF. I find a few early sea formers well worth it, esp. with aquafarms and themoclines. (Personally, I think tree farms are essential, but HFs are more a luxury. And then you still only get 3 nutrients from the square. I'll take a condenser, thanks. Better make it two! )